Bill H.256
188th (2013 - 2014)

An Act relative to updating the plumbing code in order to accomodate agricultural uses

Bill Title: An Act relative to updating the plumbing code in order to accomodate agricultural uses

By Mr. Mirra of West Newbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 256) of Leonard Mirra and others that the Division of Professional Licensure amend the Uniform State Plumbing Code and associated regulations to include a category of agricultural buildings and operations. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Section 1. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the division of professional licensure is authorized and directed to amend the Uniform State Plumbing Code, under to 248 CMR 10.00, and associated regulations to include a category of agricultural buildings and operations, as defined by section 1A of chapter 128, separate from regulations governing residential and commercial buildings; provided however, that such amendments shall follow the recommendations provided by the advisory committee formed pursuant to subsection (b) and are approved by the division of professional licensure.

(b) The division shall assemble an advisory committee, consisting of: the chair of the board of state examiners of plumbers and gas fitters, or his designee; the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources, or his designee, who shall chair the advisory committee; the commissioner of the department of public health, or his designee; one member to be appointed by the division of professional licensure, who shall be a plumbing inspector who works for a municipality; and two members appointed by the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources, one of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and one of whom shall represent the interests of the agricultural community. The advisory committee shall make recommendations to division for amendments to the Uniform State Plumbing Code, under to 248 CMR 10.00, and associated regulations pursuant to subsection (a). Such recommendations shall seek to ensure the safety and efficacy of plumbing with agricultural buildings, as well as on-farm processing operations, while ensuring that such requirements are not unnecessarily restrictive and do not unduly interfere with agricultural development within the Commonwealth. The advisory committee shall submit its recommendations to the division within 12 months of the effective date of this act.

(c) The division shall complete and make its amendments to the Uniform State Plumbing Code within 6 months of completion of the advisory committee recommendations pursuant to subsection (b).

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